06/06/2026
A few Thoughts for Corpus Christi.
This afternoon (Saturday) I went to have a look at the Food Festival in Accrington town Centre. I had heard there was a deaf chef giving cookery demonstrations. As many of you know, British Sign Language is something I have taken an interest in, so I thought I'd go and see him.
On my way back I was stopped by one of those enthusiastic "Bible basher" types. He wanted to tell me all about God's grace. He was very sincere and very passionate. After a few moments I politely excused myself and said, "I'm sorry, but I have to go and say Mass."
He looked at me and replied, "Only our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ can save you - and He's not in the wafer!"
I smiled, wished him well, and carried on my way. But his words stayed with me because they go right to the heart of what we celebrate today. If Jesus is not truly present in the Eucharist, then what are we doing here?
Today, on the Solemnity of Corpus Christi, the Church boldly proclaims that the bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Christ. Not symbols. Not merely reminders. Not simply a community meal. The living Christ gives Himself to us.
In today's Gospel from Saint John, Jesus could hardly be clearer:
"My flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood lives in me and I live in him."
Many of His listeners struggled with these words. In fact, later in this same chapter, many disciples walked away because they found the teaching too difficult.
Jesus could easily have called them back and said, "You've misunderstood me—it's only symbolic." But He doesn't. Instead, He allows them to leave because what He is saying is exactly what He means.
This belief goes right back to the Last Supper. Jesus did not say, "This represents my body." He said, "This is my body."
At every Mass those same words are spoken, and by the power of the Holy Spirit, the ordinary gifts of bread and wine become something extraordinary. Outwardly they still look the same, but inwardly their very substance has changed. The Church calls this transubstantiation, but perhaps the simplest way to understand it is this: Jesus keeps His promise to remain with us always.
The first reading reminds us that God fed His people with manna in the wilderness. That bread from heaven sustained them on their journey. But the Eucharist is even greater. The manna gave physical life for a day; the Bread of Heaven gives eternal life.
Saint Paul, in the second reading, says: "The bread that we break, is it not a communion with the body of Christ?"
Notice he doesn't say it is merely a reminder. It is a communion—a real participation in Christ Himself.
That is why Catholics have always treated the Blessed Sacrament with such reverence. We genuflect. We kneel. We carry the Blessed Sacrament in procession. We spend time in silent adoration.
Not because we worship bread. But because we worship Christ. And perhaps this feast asks each of us a simple question: when I come forward for Holy Communion, whom do I believe I am receiving? Do I come simply out of habit? Or do I come knowing that the Lord of heaven and earth is placing Himself into my hands and into my heart?
Perhaps my Bible Basher friend was right about one thing.
And that is why the Church has always taken the Eucharist beyond the walls of the church building. We do not hide Jesus away. On this feast we carry Him into our streets, into our towns and communities, proclaiming quietly but confidently that God walks among His people.
On Sunday afternoon, our own Deanery will gather for the Blessed Sacrament Procession at St Mary Magdalene's Church, Burnley. Catholics from across Burnley, Accrington and the surrounding parishes will walk together behind the Blessed Sacrament, bearing witness to our faith in the Real Presence of Christ. The procession begins at 3pm and is intended as a public act of devotion and witness to "Our Lord truly present in the Blessed Sacrament."
Some people passing by may wonder what we are doing. Some may not understand. Some, like the gentleman who stopped me, may even say, "He's not in the wafer." But our answer is not an argument. Our answer is the procession itself.
We walk because we believe that Jesus Christ is truly here. The Lord who once walked the roads of Galilee still walks with His people today. As we follow behind the monstrance, we are saying to the world: Christ is alive, Christ is present, and Christ is with us.
So I would encourage all of us, if we are able, to come and take part this afternoon. Let us walk together in prayer, in thanksgiving and in joy, carrying the love of Christ into the streets of our own community. After all, the Eucharist is not simply a gift to be received; it is a gift to be shared.
My Bible Basher friend also said ‘Only our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ can save us.’
But where we differ is this: we believe that, in His infinite love, He chooses to come to us - not only in heaven, not only in the pages of Scripture, but here upon this altar, hidden under the humble appearance of bread and wine.
The One who was born in Bethlehem, who died on Calvary, and who rose from the dead, comes to feed His people. And today, as we approach this sacred mystery, may we echo the words of Saint Peter: "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the message of eternal life."
